Byrne



(No Model.) 1 2 SheetsShe et 1.

W. A. BYRNE.

PIANO.

No. 571,106. Patented Nov. 10, 1896.

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W. A. BYRNE.

(No Model.)

} PIANO.

Patented Nov. 10, 1896.

I wiigzsszs UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM A. BYRNE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE IVM. KNA BE & CO. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

PIANO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,106, dated November 10, 1896. Application filed July 18, 1896. Serial No. 599,68l. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. BYRNE, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pianos; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in pianos, and more particularly to grand pianos, the object of the invention being to provide simple and efficient means whereby to facilitate repairing of the dampers.

A further object is to provide an inexpensive device whereby the damper actions in a piano can be so manipulated that easy access can be had to any single dampenwire without disturbing the others when it is desired to replace or repair the same.

IVith these objects in view the invention consists in the combination, with the dampers of a piano, of an adjustable device constructed and adapted to permit any of the dampers to be moved above the others, whereby to aiiord access thereto for the purpose of repairing.

The invention further consists in the combination, with the dampers of a piano and. their levers, of a vertically-adj ustable be r disposed over said levers.

The invention further consists in an adjustable rod connected to the piano-frame by means of links adapted to move in recesses formed in the frame, and said rod provided with means at one end. whereby to regulate its adjustment.

It further consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation illustrating my improvements in their normal positions. Fig. 2 is a view showing the rail in its upper or raised position.

Fig. 3 is a view in cross-section showing the rail in its normal position, and Fig. 4. is a view in cross-section showing the rail in its upper or raised position.

A represents a portion of the irame of a piano, and B one of the strings. Pivotally connected to the frame A is the damper-lever O, which normally rests upon a cushion c. This damper-lever O is adapted to operate the damper rod or holder 1) whereby to raise the damper E above the string 13, as usual.

A bar or rail F, having a cushion 3 on its under face, is disposed above the damper levers O and connected to the frame A by means of pivoted links 1 1, adapted to move in recesses 2 2 in said frame. At one end of the bar or rail F, I provide an adj usting-rod G, which is pivotally connected thereto and adapted to move in a guide way II, provided with a setscrew I, whereby the rod may be securely held against movement.

From the above description it will be seen that when the bar or rail 1 is in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, the dampers can only be raised. to give the string its tone, and then falls back upon the wire in the usual manner. IVhen it is desired to repair or replace a damper-wire which has become bent or otherwise injured, it is simply necessary to release the set'screw I and pull the rod G through guide way II, which will cause the bar or rail F to rise to the position shown in Fig. \Vhen the bar or rail is in this position, it will be seen that any damper can be raised to a suflicient height above the others to allow ready access thereto for the purpose of removing or repairing the same, and when the damper is repaired or replaced by a new one the set-screw will be again operated to release the rod Gr and permit the bar or rail 1 to be adjusted to its normal position.

It is evident that numerous slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts herein shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details shown, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a piano, the combination with the dampers of a piano and their levers, of a vertically adjustable bar disposed over said le- 4:. In a piano, the e 1nbinati m. with the damper-lovers of a l()llgitlltllllilll y-lllOYdlJlO and vertically-adjustable bar located. over the damper-levers and supported by pivoted links and provided. at its end with an adj nsting-rod, a guide for said rod and a fastening device for secnreh holding said adjusting-rod in the guideway, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VI'LLLUil A. BY ENE.

lYitnesses:

HAROLD SHREYE, Guns. 1;. DONOVAN. 

